Innovative 3D Bioprinted Mini Placentas Could Revolutionize Pregnancy Research

Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney have developed a groundbreaking method to study pregnancy complications by using 3D bioprinting to create miniature placentas, known as organoids. These lab-grown organoids provide a more accurate model of early placental development than traditional methods, which are often limited by the difficulty of obtaining early pregnancy tissue and the differences between animal models and humans.

Pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia, which affects 5%–8% of pregnancies and accounts for over 260,000 maternal deaths worldwide, remain a significant challenge in medicine. Understanding the human placenta in early pregnancy is crucial, yet it’s challenging because the placenta undergoes substantial changes throughout pregnancy, making early tissue studies impractical and unsafe.

The team, led by Associate Professor Lana McClements and Dr. Claire Richards, utilized stem cells to grow placental organoids using a gel that mimics natural tissue support. In 2018, the first placental organoids were derived from trophoblast cells, a specific cell type in the placenta. Building on this, the researchers employed 3D bioprinting technology to precisely deposit trophoblast cells into controlled positions within a synthetic gel, creating highly reproducible mini placentas.

This bioprinted environment influences how the organoids develop, with differences observed compared to traditional manual growth methods—particularly in the types and maturity of trophoblast cells formed. The bioprinted placental organoids closely resemble human early placental tissue and serve as a robust model for studying placental function and pregnancy complications.

Using these models, scientists can investigate how inflammatory molecules associated with preeclampsia affect placental cells and evaluate potential treatments. This advancement brings us closer to predicting, preventing, and managing pregnancy complications more effectively, ultimately safeguarding maternal and infant health.

This research, detailed in the journal Nature Communications, marks a significant step toward personalized and predictive approaches in obstetric medicine, offering hope for improved outcomes in pregnancies at risk.